Conservation Clips is a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what’s driving conservation. These articles are not indicative of NACD policy and are the opinions of their authors, unless otherwise noted. If you have a relevant submission or need assistance accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
NACD Blog: Conservation Partnership: Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR) and NACD
By Caroline Wade, Executive Director, Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources (STAR)
01/27/2026
Illinois STAR began with its first NACD TA grant in 2019, which funded a Resource Conservationist (RC) position at the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD). This RC provided education, hosted field days showcasing conservation practices, and worked one-on-one with farmers using the STAR Tool to start them on their conservation journey and to promote enrollment in NRCS programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
Farm Progress: USDA staffing cuts threaten farmers’ access to conservation programs
By Chris Torres
01/22/2026
Despite historic investments in conservation funding through last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill, farmers are facing mounting challenges as USDA staffing levels fail to keep pace with the demand for technical assistance.
Brownfield Ag News: USDA looks to modernize acreage reporting using farm-generated data
By Kellan Heavican
01/22/2026
USDA’s Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation says the department will be taking steps to modernize and streamline its acreage reporting process. Richard Fordyce says while the traditional system –like pen and paper – will still be an option, tapping into new tools could be part of the effort.
Civil Eats: SNAP Won’t Be Affected in Potential Government Shutdown
By Rebekha Alvey
01/27/2026
Should another government shutdown occur at the end of the month, programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not be impacted in the same way. In the funding deal to end the last shutdown, Congress passed annual appropriations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which also fully funded SNAP, through September.
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USDA-NRCS: Sawyer Farms: A Legacy of Conservation and a Future of Sustainability
By Adele Swearingen | Temple, TX | South Central Region
01/01/2025
Sawyer has been working with NRCS since he started farming on his own in the early 1980s. His father instilled in him the importance of conservation. “My dad was one of the original board members for the Hill County-Blackland Soil and Water Conservation District Board in the ’60s and ’70s,” Sawyer says. He recalls attending board meetings growing up.
Sierra County Sentinel: Why Sharon Luna’s National Leadership Training Matters for Sierra County
By Rebecca Dow | Sierra County, NM | Southwest Region
01/22/2026
I’m honored to share that Sharon Luna, locally elected Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor for Sierra County, has been selected to participate in a national leadership training program sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts (NMACD).
News Break: What 400 women in ag say they want
By Kristi Hine | South Dakota | Northern Plains Region
01/23/2026
In June 2024, NRCS, the Jones County Conservation District and the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts finalized a $1.17 million agreement to support a statewide effort to connect, engage and educate women in agriculture and conservation.
Louisiana Farm Bureau News: After the Ice: North Louisiana Farmers and Ranchers Assess Devastating Damage from Winter Storm Fern
By Kristen Oaks-White | Louisiana | South Central Region
01/26/2026
A rare and relentless winter storm left north Louisiana reeling this weekend, as hours of frozen precipitation placed extraordinary stress on farm infrastructure across the region. Poultry houses, barns and sheds were among the structures reported collapsed under the sheer weight of accumulated sleet and ice — damage that farmers say is the worst to hit since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
Oceana’s Herald Journal: Putting the ‘fun’ in fungi
By Cristina Juska | Hart, MI | North Central Region
01/28/2026
The Oceana Conservation District hosted a hands-on mushroom workshop Jan. 24 at the MSU Extension, drawing 66 participants and generating a waiting list for tickets. Justin Sean, founder of Great Lakes Mushroom Company in Norton Shores, led the workshop, sharing his expertise on mushroom cultivation from setup to harvest. His company sells mushroom grow kits, mushroom coffee, dried mushrooms, medicinal tinctures, gourmet mushroom pizzas and other products.